Children and teachers gathered last night to celebrate the best of state education in London at the Evening Standard School Awards.

Children's Secretary Ed Balls and Ofsted's Chief Inspector Christine Gilbert paid tribute to the inspirational work of the four winning schools as they presented the awards at the Standard's headquarters in Kensington. Each school received a £2,000 prize.

Now in their 10th year, the awards honour the achievements of primary and secondary schools which provide an outstanding education, often in the face of severe challenges.

Two winners were recognised for their "outstanding achievement in challenging circumstances". Robert Clack School in Dagenham is one of the largest in London, educating 2,000 pupils.

Despite serving two of the poorest communities in the country, the school achieved the best A-level results in the borough and has been hailed by Ofsted as a shining example of how to raise standards in the poorest areas.

Children at Gateway Primary School in Lisson Grove come from immigrant families, with 95 per cent not speaking English as their first language. A quarter are from refugee families and more than half are entitled to free school meals. Drugs are a major problem on the neighbouring estate, yet last year 93 per cent of Gateway pupils passed their Sats in English, 96 per cent in maths and 98 per cent in science.

Two schools were honoured for achieving the very highest of academic standards. Boys at Queen Elizabeth's School in Barnet attained the best A-level and GCSE results in London, with 37 winning places at Oxford or Cambridge.

Headteacher John Marincowitz said boys receive an "academic diet that's appropriate for very able pupils.

"They need to be in an environment where they can mix with other clever boys and spark each other off," he said. Newton Farm Nursery, First and Middle School in Harrow ensured all pupils passed their Sats last year, even though many did not speak English at home. The school is one of the few in England where there are no differences in achievements between boys and girls.

Headteacher Rekha Bhakoo put the success down to tracking pupils, "not only academically but how they are getting on socially — it is about the whole child," she said.

Winners were chosen from a shortlist supplied by Ofsted, based on the schools rated as outstanding during the previous year. Mr Balls told pupils and teachers at the ceremony: "You are the outstanding schools of our capital and we are proud to salute your achievements.

"It is a great honour to be invited to see the Evening Standard celebrating the success and hard work of pupils, teachers and parents. Great education instils self-belief in children. That comes back to great teaching and leadership."

Evening Standard Editor Geordie Greig said: "It is a proud moment for the paper to be able to honour these schools for their achievements."

The winning Schools

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES

Gateway Primary, Lisson Grove

Authority: Westminster

Headteacher: Keith Duggan

Mixed community school with 625 pupils

Pupils achieved excellent Sats results, despite a quarter coming from refugee families and more than half from lowest-income homes. Drug crime plagues nearby estates but teachers ensure pupils master the basics of English and maths.

An academic powerhouse founded in 1573, with a brilliant record of sending boys to Oxford and Cambridge. Regularly among the very best A-level and GCSE grades in the country.

Ofsted says: "Students flourish in a climate that ensures that they achieve their very best academically and personally. Excellence pervades all aspects of its work."

SECONDARY OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Robert Clack, Dagenham

Authority: Barking and Dagenham

Headteacher: Paul Grant

Mixed comprehensive for ages 11 to 18 with 1,989 pupils

Achieved the best A-level results in the borough last year, despite serving 2,000 pupils from two of poorest wards in England. Head Paul Grant sent a strong message on discipline by suspending 300 pupils in his first week in charge.

Ofsted says: "Students enter with average standards; they make outstanding progress. Underpinning the school is the all-pervading atmosphere of respect."

AWARD FOR PRIMARY ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Newton Farm Nursery, First and Middle, South Harrow

Authority: Harrow

Headteacher: Rekha Bhakoo

Mixed community school with 280 pupils

Achieved a remarkable 100 per cent pass rate in Sats last year. Many pupils do not speak English as their first language.

Ofsted says: "An outstanding school that provides a high quality education for its pupils. The vast majority of parents have nothing but praise for the school. Parents are right."